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The Dark Knight SPOILER THREAD

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I try to not rewatch things too many times. I generally find more things to dislike rather than more things to like with repeated viewings. My current plan is to watch neither BB nor TDK again until at least BB3 is officially announced in another year or two.
 
Solo said:
I try to not rewatch things too many times. I generally find more things to dislike rather than more things to like with repeated viewings. My current plan is to watch neither BB nor TDK again until at least BB3 is officially announced in another year or two.
Yeah, by the third time, I was veeeeery annoyed by Barbara. Easily the worst part of the film was her acting.
 
I should rewatch it. I have only seen it one time, in the movie theater, and I definitely don't share the sentiment of gaf. I think the "masterpiece" or "redefining movie making" comments are ridiculous.

I don't remember all that much of the story anymore. Is that something gaf can use to criticize me, or something I can use the criticize the movie? Either way, the most memorable part of the movie for me was the two "rivaling" boats. The rest of the story is pretty forgettable.

What annoys me more is that I don't like the acting of the main characters. I really disliked (
and I'm not saying this to cause TDK fans a heart attack :P
) Ledgers portrayal of the Joker. I'm sure he did a fine acting job, but I personally hated all the antics. The lip smacking, the eye rolling, the grunting and whispering, the crazy voice and forced laughing, ... It made me want to scratch my eyes out and pierce my ears with a knife. Bale's Batman is also ridiculous. How can you take him seriously with that voice. :lol I'm sure that's a less controversial opinion of me. ;) The duo Rachel+Harvey also annoyed me. It's as if they repeated the same dialog throughout the whole movie. How many times did Rachel say something along the lines of Harvey being nervous for his own party and uneasy in his role as the city's savior in general, and Harvey on the other hand saying that Rachel is breathtakingly beautiful. My memory is hazy, so it might have been somewhat different, but I do remember that after 3 or 4 times the same dialog but slightly altered, I was thinking "WE KNOW ALREADY: Harvey feels uneasy in his new role, Rachel is drop dead gorgeous!". Gordon was also pretty meh. The only characters I liked were Lucius Fox and Alfred. And those are pretty much side characters. So, in general: I was annoyed with all the protagonists, so it can't be a surprise that I didn't really care what was happening with them.


As I said before: I can barely pinpoint some exact scenes that made me dislike aspects of the movie. I should definitely rewatch it so I can give more details and/or adjust my opinion of the movie. But it definitely does not deserve the praise it gets. Sure, it's by far one on the best super hero movies ever created. But if we're honest, does that say much, really? You might also get the impression that I hated the movie, which is off course not true. It's definitely an enjoyable movie, and if Bale and Ledger were replaced (or portrayed their characters in a different way), my main complaints would be gone.
 
Solo said:
Ive grown to appreciate Ledger's work more and more, and hate Bale's more and more in this movie.
This is a fairly accurate summary of my view. With time, Ledger's performance has grown more mesmerizing and subtle, while Bale's plunges in the opposite direction, increasingly grating and broad.
 
Souldriver said:
I should rewatch it. I have only seen it one time, in the movie theater, and I definitely don't share the sentiment of gaf. I think the "masterpiece" or "redefining movie making" comments are ridiculous.

I don't remember all that much of the story anymore. Is that something gaf can use to criticize me, or something I can use the criticize the movie? Either way, the most memorable part of the movie for me was the two "rivaling" boats. The rest of the story is pretty forgettable.

What annoys me more is that I don't like the acting of the main characters. I really disliked (
and I'm not saying this to cause TDK fans a heart attack :P
) Ledgers portrayal of the Joker. I'm sure he did a fine acting job, but I personally hated all the antics. The lip smacking, the eye rolling, the grunting and whispering, the crazy voice and forced laughing, ... It made me want to scratch my eyes out and pierce my ears with a knife. Bale's Batman is also ridiculous. How can you take him seriously with that voice. :lol I'm sure that's a less controversial opinion of me. ;) The duo Rachel+Harvey also annoyed me. It's as if they repeated the same dialog throughout the whole movie. How many times did Rachel say something along the lines of Harvey being nervous for his own party and uneasy in his role as the city's savior in general, and Harvey on the other hand saying that Rachel is breathtakingly beautiful. My memory is hazy, so it might have been somewhat different, but I do remember that after 3 or 4 times the same dialog but slightly altered, I was thinking "WE KNOW ALREADY: Harvey feels uneasy in his new role, Rachel is drop dead gorgeous!". Gordon was also pretty meh. The only characters I liked were Lucius Fox and Alfred. And those are pretty much side characters. So, in general: I was annoyed with all the protagonists, so it can't be a surprise that I didn't really care what was happening with them.


As I said before: I can barely pinpoint some exact scenes that made me dislike aspects of the movie. I should definitely rewatch it so I can give more details and/or adjust my opinion of the movie. But it definitely does not deserve the praise it gets. Sure, it's by far one on the best super hero movies ever created. But if we're honest, does that say much, really? You might also get the impression that I hated the movie, which is off course not true. It's definitely an enjoyable movie, and if Bale and Ledger were replaced (or portrayed their characters in a different way), my main complaints would be gone.
You are not alone, there are a few GAFFers who preferred Nicholson's Joker over Ledgers, its fine.
 
Gordon was also pretty meh.

No. Gary Oldman did a terrific job. I can understand preferring Jack over Heath (though I disagree with it on many, many levels), and the dislike for Bale and whatever, but Gary Oldman was Jim Gordon.
 
AniHawk said:
No. Gary Oldman did a terrific job. I can understand preferring Jack over Heath (though I disagree with it on many, many levels), and the dislike for Bale and whatever, but Gary Oldman was Jim Gordon.

F U!

commissioner-gordon.jpg


"Thanks for the saving the day, Batman. Did you get me tickets to Bruce Wayne's party next week?"
 
AniHawk said:
No. Gary Oldman did a terrific job. I can understand preferring Jack over Heath (though I disagree with it on many, many levels), and the dislike for Bale and whatever, but Gary Oldman was Jim Gordon.
I didn't even mention Jack. It always has to come down to X vs Y on gaf, doesn't it? :P

I didn't say Oldman did bad, it was just forgettable imo. or at least his role was. Perhaps it's because he often was in a scene where Bale is doing his horrible batman (which makes me cringe anyway), or because I didn't really feel connected to his character (I didn't really care about the dilemma the Joker put him for with his kids to say something). But it's true that I can't really criticize Oldman for his acting. He did fine.
 
The scene where Gordon comes home after faking his death and comforts his son with a "I saved Batman" convo was a moment that I knew this film was pulling the rug out from under me without me even realizing it.


Okay, so that happened many times, but that was a major one.
 
Souldriver said:
I should rewatch it. I have only seen it one time, in the movie theater, and I definitely don't share the sentiment of gaf. I think the "masterpiece" or "redefining movie making" comments are ridiculous.

I don't remember all that much of the story anymore. Is that something gaf can use to criticize me, or something I can use the criticize the movie? Either way, the most memorable part of the movie for me was the two "rivaling" boats. The rest of the story is pretty forgettable.

What annoys me more is that I don't like the acting of the main characters. I really disliked (
and I'm not saying this to cause TDK fans a heart attack :P
) Ledgers portrayal of the Joker. I'm sure he did a fine acting job, but I personally hated all the antics. The lip smacking, the eye rolling, the grunting and whispering, the crazy voice and forced laughing, ... It made me want to scratch my eyes out and pierce my ears with a knife. Bale's Batman is also ridiculous. How can you take him seriously with that voice. :lol I'm sure that's a less controversial opinion of me. ;) The duo Rachel+Harvey also annoyed me. It's as if they repeated the same dialog throughout the whole movie. How many times did Rachel say something along the lines of Harvey being nervous for his own party and uneasy in his role as the city's savior in general, and Harvey on the other hand saying that Rachel is breathtakingly beautiful. My memory is hazy, so it might have been somewhat different, but I do remember that after 3 or 4 times the same dialog but slightly altered, I was thinking "WE KNOW ALREADY: Harvey feels uneasy in his new role, Rachel is drop dead gorgeous!". Gordon was also pretty meh. The only characters I liked were Lucius Fox and Alfred. And those are pretty much side characters. So, in general: I was annoyed with all the protagonists, so it can't be a surprise that I didn't really care what was happening with them.


As I said before: I can barely pinpoint some exact scenes that made me dislike aspects of the movie. I should definitely rewatch it so I can give more details and/or adjust my opinion of the movie. But it definitely does not deserve the praise it gets. Sure, it's by far one on the best super hero movies ever created. But if we're honest, does that say much, really? You might also get the impression that I hated the movie, which is off course not true. It's definitely an enjoyable movie, and if Bale and Ledger were replaced (or portrayed their characters in a different way), my main complaints would be gone.

You've given me a headache.
 
Solo said:
Ive grown to appreciate Ledger's work more and more, and hate Bale's more and more in this movie.

I agree about Ledger, but I feel the opposite about Bale. I've come to like his performance more upon repeated viewings (or maybe I've just become desensitized to it).
 
I would've like to have Bale linger on Rachel's death some more, but the story's pace couldn't afford to let up.


I LET THAT MURDERING PSYCHOPATH BLOW HIM HALFWAY TO HELL
 
In Bale's defense, a lot of his Batman voice was post-production audio work to make it sound a lot more...eh...grungier then it actually was. It's pretty noticeable if you watch BB and TDK back to back, you can tell there's just more to his Batman voice in TDK, which leads me to believe they didn't do it in BB.

Although, I can't really put my finger on exactly when it became the popular opinion to hate Bale. Like, he ran over your puppy levels of hate.

Up until recently he's been a critically acclaimed actor, but now most people seem to think he sucks, but I don't quite get why. Because of the Batman voice? Okay, apparently doing it in three movies (two of which are Batman movies) is too many for a lot of people. Because he got angry and yelled on the set of Terminator? Russel Crowe hit a hotel employee over the head with a fucking phone, and yet people still like him. Sure Bale got angry but at least he didn't beat the shit out of anyone.

I admit Bale did disappoint in Terminator Salvation (due in part because his character was just horribly written), but I feel like the hate the guy has been getting lately is completely undeserved. Seriously, it's old. I'm fine with people simply just not liking his performances, but some people are acting like he made some sort of personal offense against them.
 
I still remember the moment I was going to start this thread coming home from the screening in West Nyack, NY........then having Costanza stole my spotlight.
 
Loxley said:
In Bale's defense, a lot of his Batman voice was post-production audio work to make it sound a lot more...eh...grungier then it actually was.

Ive been hearing this a lot lately. If true, then I guess the blame falls more on Nolan's shoulders than Bale's for the atrocious voice.
 
Snowman Prophet of Doom said:
I agree about Ledger, but I feel the opposite about Bale. I've come to like his performance more upon repeated viewings (or maybe I've just become desensitized to it).


And Bale was so charismatic in Batman Begins =/
 
Scullibundo said:
Please. Bale just didn't try to upstage Ledger and Eckhart is all. He was doing something more, he WASN'T being a hero.

HES A HAM-FISTED LISPER
AN OVER THE TOP MARBLE MOUTH

A DARK BLIGHT (ON HUMANITY)
 
man, this is an awesome movie. i caught ten minutes of it in passing on hbo the other day and just freaked out at what a resplendent 600 seconds it was
 
SanjuroTsubaki said:
You're joking, right?

The Dark Knight redefines modern cinema? I'm sorry, even if you're of the opinion that it's shit your pants and have a heart attack incredible, it has nowhere near redefined modern cinema.
 
How could anyone say that Oldman was weak as Gordon? He was one of the most compelling characters in the film. The hostage scene with his family gets me every single time. ;_;
 
BeautifulMemory said:
And Bale was so charismatic in Batman Begins =/

I think he just had a lot less to do in the Dark Knight. Batman Begins was definitely Bruce Wayne's movie. The Dark Knight was the Joker's and Harvey Dent's movie. Bruce Wayne got the short end of the stick in the movie.
 
All I remember from the wait while in line was "Please don't be The Matrix Reloaded! Please don't be The Matrix Reloaded!" I was so scared that it would be another hype > movie summer release. That was the last summer movie that I was this hyped for.

I still enjoyed TMR for what it was, but it could have been so much more :\......lets not speak of Revolutions
 
BrandNew said:
The movie was just the best summer blockbuster I've seen, bar none. That's the special place it has for me.

Jaws still holds that title for me, followed by Terminator 2. TDK would make the top 5, though.
 
Loxley said:
In Bale's defense, a lot of his Batman voice was post-production audio work to make it sound a lot more...eh...grungier then it actually was. It's pretty noticeable if you watch BB and TDK back to back, you can tell there's just more to his Batman voice in TDK, which leads me to believe they didn't do it in BB.

Although, I can't really put my finger on exactly when it became the popular opinion to hate Bale. Like, he ran over your puppy levels of hate.


Up until recently he's been a critically acclaimed actor, but now most people seem to think he sucks, but I don't quite get why. Because of the Batman voice? Okay, apparently doing it in three movies (two of which are Batman movies) is too many for a lot of people. Because he got angry and yelled on the set of Terminator? Russel Crowe hit a hotel employee over the head with a fucking phone, and yet people still like him. Sure Bale got angry but at least he didn't beat the shit out of anyone.

I admit Bale did disappoint in Terminator Salvation (due in part because his character was just horribly written), but I feel like the hate the guy has been getting lately is completely undeserved. Seriously, it's old. I'm fine with people simply just not liking his performances, but some people are acting like he made some sort of personal offense against them.
I agree with you on Bale. Sure, he pulled an asshole move yelling at that DP on the set of Salvation. But I think he did/is doing a great job as Batman. I don't get the hate for the voice really.

They did processing on his voice in Batman Begins actually, you can hear it. Some added bass to it, to make him sound more menacing. I think it works. I mean, how else is the dude supposed to sound like?

Happens with every actor, putting on that costume makes you feel like a completely different person. So you'll speak in a different way. Michael Keaton spoke differently as Batman. Only thing is with Bale's voice, they did some processing to make him sound meaner...

I still feel the same way about TDK as I felt last year, I still love it. I saw it in the theater. I got it on dvd and saw it maybe 4 times. Then HBO recently started airing it and damn if every time I tuned in I watched it. So that made it maybe three more times that I saw it. :D

Heath Ledger knocked it out of the park as Joker. IMO probably the best comic book movie villain. Every time he told a story of how he got his scars, it was intense! I actually pretty much enjoyed the entire cast.

Even someone like Eric Roberts was appealing in this flick. The only thing that bugged me was why didn't they just keep Katie Holmes in as Rachel Dawes. Maggie G (don't remember how her last name's spelled) was fine but I'm just a nitpicker when it comes to continuity in movies.

I mean, if her character was going to die anyway, why not keep her in? In general, I hate recasts in movies. I understand if something major happens, like an actor passes away. But in my opinion, it helps me buy into the world of a movie franchise when you see the same actors in a series of films.

But TDK is still pretty awesome to me. ;)
 
Loxley said:
Although, I can't really put my finger on exactly when it became the popular opinion to hate Bale. Like, he ran over your puppy levels of hate.

When he went crazy on the Terminator set.
 
Solo said:
Jaws still holds that title for me, followed by Terminator 2. TDK would make the top 5, though.

Seeing as how I was unborn for Jaws and all of 9 for T2, I can't really count them as great summer movies for myself. So, yeah, TDK wins.
 
I wasnt alive in 1975 either, but it still doesnt stop Jaws from being a) a summer movie and b) so awesome. But if you want to talk adult life blockbusters, than S-M2 still edges out TDK by a hair as my personal fav.
 
fps fanatic said:
Even someone like Eric Roberts was appealing in this flick. The only thing that bugged me was why didn't they just keep Katie Holmes in as Rachel Dawes. Maggie G (don't remember how her last name's spelled) was fine but I'm just a nitpicker when it comes to continuity in movies.

I mean, if her character was going to die anyway, why not keep her in? In general, I hate recasts in movies. I understand if something major happens, like an actor passes away. But in my opinion, it helps me buy into the world of a movie franchise when you see the same actors in a series of films.

It's not like they got rid of her on purpose, she didn't want to do it.
 
My biggest problems with Maggie in TDK are:
- while she in generally is a much better actress than Holmes, she really didnt perform any better in TDK than Holmes did in BB
- hate to be shallow, but at least with Katie Holmes, you could believe that two men would be fighting for her affection
 
Solo said:
My biggest problems with Maggie in TDK are:
- while she in generally is a much better actress than Holmes, she really didnt perform any better in TDK than Holmes did in BB
- hate to be shallow, but at least with Katie Holmes, you could believe that two men would be fighting for her affection

It's true. In the latest pics posted in this thread...GODDAYUM is she fucking ugly.
 
TFK was a good movie. A great action movie actually. However, if the script would have gotten rid of all the "line tapping super computer" and "Batman has magic robot goggles that see shit" it would have been even better.
Basically, that time could have been spent develping characters even more. As it is, they never got me attached to the girl or Gordon, and that really sucks cuz Gary Oldman is an amazing acotr and he has been in two of these things and still feels like window dressing.

Just my $0.02 looking back

Also, A few action scenes were poorly shot just like the first.

Maggie G DID seem to phone it in for the DK but she wasn't given much to work with. Boring character.
She hasn't aged well, but she isn't ugly. I'm not too concerned with that.
 
Solo said:
I wasnt alive in 1975 either, but it still doesnt stop Jaws from being a) a summer movie and b) so awesome. But if you want to talk adult life blockbusters, than S-M2 still edges out TDK by a hair as my personal fav.

Xp

SM-2
 
Masked Man said:
How could anyone say that Oldman was weak as Gordon? He was one of the most compelling characters in the film. The hostage scene with his family gets me every single time. ;_;

Oldman deserves a lot of credit. His work is the most subtle in the film, and considering how big the film is with everyone else going a little over the top, he did incredible. He could star in a Jim Gordon film and I'd be their day one.
 
Staccat0 said:
Also, A few action scenes were poorly shot just like the first.

As talented as Chris Nolan is in every other regard, he is still a novice when it comes to shooting action. Hes no Spielberg or Cameron in that regard.
 
VistraNorrez said:
Oldman deserves a lot of credit. His work is the most subtle in the film, and considering how big the film is with everyone else going a little over the top, he did incredible. He could star in a Jim Gordon film and I'd be their day one.
His character, as written, is still pretty flat and lifeless. He is the man, but I'm not sure if he could have done any more with that character than he did.
Any Gordon hate is in SPITE of Oldman's craftmanship.
 
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